diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/hints.py b/qutebrowser/browser/hints.py
index 0c99387b5..040d553c5 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/hints.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/hints.py
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ class HintManager(QObject):
                             Qt.NoButton, modifiers),
             ]
         if context.target == Target.current:
-            elem.remove_target()
+            elem.remove_blank_target()
         for evt in events:
             self.mouse_event.emit(evt)
         if elem.is_text_input() and elem.is_editable():
diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py b/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
index 0f6ae633d..6100cd1b3 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/webelem.py
@@ -285,12 +285,13 @@ class WebElementWrapper(collections.abc.MutableMapping):
         tag = self._elem.tagName().lower()
         return self.get('role', None) in roles or tag in ('input', 'textarea')
 
-    def remove_target(self):
+    def remove_blank_target(self):
         """Remove target from link."""
-        if self._elem.tagName().lower() == 'a':
-            self._elem.removeAttribute('target')
-        elif self.parent().tagName().lower() == 'a':
-            self.parent().removeAttribute('target')
+        for elem in [self._elem, self.parent()]:
+            if elem.tagName().lower() == 'a':
+                if elem.attribute('target') == '_blank':
+                    elem.setAttribute('target', '_top')
+                break
 
     def debug_text(self):
         """Get a text based on an element suitable for debug output."""